BY JOACKIM KULE MUHESI
Kasese District Local Government is financially constrained to contain the outbreak and spread of Measles Rubella.
This follows a halt on donor funding from the USAID that has been primarily facilitating response activities of such outbreaks.
A current situational report presented to the members of the District Taskforce during the meeting that was convened today morning at Kasese Municipal Health Centre III in Kasese town indicated that the health department was relying on the meagre Primary Health Care (PHC) funds which had already been constrained by the Mpox and Ebola preparedness drives.
The District Surveillance Focal Person, Mr. Arafat Bwambale, said that in addition to the resource challenges, even the motorcycles that were allocated to them to support the response activities currently lack maintenance and fuel to enable them do the work.
He, however, reported that ever since the outbreak of the disease was reported in the district on January 30, only three positive cases have so far been registered but with no current admissions, isolated cases and deaths.
Bwambale explained that among the victims, 02 were from Kizungu cell of Nyamwamba Division and 01 was from Kyalanga village in Karusandara sub-county.
The Kasese District Health Officer, Dr. Amon Bwambale, told the meeting that using the affordable means, they were conducting community immunization services against the disease to the children. More
The Health Officer reported that their findings indicated that most parents live with their unvaccinated children due to resistance and incompliance to vaccination.
On his part, the Kasese Deputy Resident District Commissioner, Mr. Zepher Mubingwa lauded the health department for its commitment and developing positive attitudes towards work despite the reported challenges.
Mubingwa was happy that the district’s response to the outbreaks had been impactful and recommendable.
He observed the need for the department to intensify their campaigns in schools so that the learners also disseminate the messages to their respective communities.
ENDS